Secretary of State Rex Tillerson's surprising diplomatic offer of unconditional talks with North Korea hinges on two big X factors: Does the North even want talks, and is President Donald Trump fully behind his top diplomat.

California Assembly Democrats say they want to use the windfall from a growing economy to expand a tax credit for the working poor and extend health coverage to immigrants living in the country illegally.

Venezuela's cash-strapped government has quickly settled a lawsuit filed by a state-run Chinese company, making good on an unpaid bill and appeasing an important ally that holds billions in the South American country's debt.

Six months after 71 people perished when flames enveloped a high-rise in London and prompted concerns about the safety of other buildings worldwide, a U.S.-based fire prevention group has developed a tool aimed at making buildings safer.